The week flew by so quickly that I barely had time to blink. Honestly, I've noticed that the older a person gets, the faster time seems to pass. When I was a kid and had nothing to do, I would sit in my parents' room in front of their ticking desk clock and just watch the second hand move — and, to be honest, it moved painfully slowly. A single minute felt like an eternity. Now, I barely blink, and an entire hour is gone. Quite the paradox.
Saturday. I had a day off today — both from school and from work. Mr. Smoke had given everyone an unexpected day off. Lissa was the happiest of all, since she and Tony had some very important plans. Lovebirds — what can you do.
September had flown by so quickly. It felt like just yesterday we were all standing at the school assembly, listening to the incredibly boring speech from our modest old principal.
Vicky and I had been laughing at the way he occasionally lisped, while the teachers standing in front shot us irritated looks. Then they introduced the new teachers, and Collins wasn't among them. He appeared out of nowhere, like a bolt from the blue. Just like the news that Mrs. Johnson was retiring.
Outside, the first snowflakes drifted quietly past the window. Just imagine — snow at the beginning of October. It used to be strange, but now, what was there to be surprised about? Still, I found myself surprised every time.
Tapping briskly on my keyboard, I tried to reply as quickly as possible to someone in the Connelly fan chat. Yes, I wasn't the only one. The tea I had made half an hour ago had already gone cold, and my glasses had fogged up during that time.
Suddenly, my phone rang, making me jump. The silence had been broken only by the clicking of the keyboard, and then, out of nowhere, an energetic melody filled the room, practically demanding I pick up. An unfamiliar number flashed on the screen, but I didn't pay much attention as I tapped "Accept."
"Hello," I said distractedly, still looking at my computer screen as the guy from the States eagerly typed me another message.
"Stryker, you didn't forget you're spending today with me, did you?" That voice — I would recognize it anywhere.
"Where did you get my number, Mr. Collins?"
"Are we back to 'Mr. Collins' now?"
"Where did you get my number?" I repeated, stressing the word your.
"Sometimes you can find useful things in the school register — besides grades, of course," Christopher replied smugly, making me roll my eyes. Showing off, as always. "I'm waiting for you at the entrance."
"What?" I jumped to my feet, rushed to the window, and peeked outside through the patterned curtains. A familiar SUV stood in the yard, and from the passenger side, the biology teacher leaned out, waving at me with a mysterious smile.
"You do realize I only agreed out of politeness?"
"Yes, I also realize you're spending the rest of the day with me," he said, and before I could protest, he hung up and rolled up the window.
I sighed heavily, shutting down my computer and realizing he was right — I was spending the day with him. Where was my mother when I needed her strict prohibition? Though I was sure Collins would've handled that, too.
Not bothering to dress up, I pulled on my everyday jeans and a sweater with reindeer that unintentionally reminded me of Christmas, tossed some lip balm into my bag, and headed for the door. Four o'clock in the afternoon, the hallway clock informed me, and I made a sad face in response. Locking the apartment door, I slid the key under the small rug and hurried downstairs.
"By the way, Happy Birthday," I said as soon as I stepped outside, handing Collins a wrapped cake I'd bought earlier at the supermarket. What did you think — that I wouldn't prepare? It wouldn't be right to show up to someone's birthday empty-handed.
"How nice," the biology teacher replied in an overly sweet tone, placing the cake on the back seat. "I'm allergic to sweets."
"I didn't know," I said, smiling apologetically and blinking a couple of times.
"Get in already," Christopher practically ushered me into the car, chuckling at my carelessness before getting in himself and starting the engine. "And since it's a special occasion, Stryker, why don't you call me something less formal? Like Chris."
"Only if you stop calling me Stryker," I exhaled irritably, hearing my last name again. "Chris."
"I'll think about it, Stryker," he smiled, slowly shifting his gaze to the road.
Unable to resist, I punched him lightly in the shoulder. Letting out a loud "Ow," Christopher grinned broadly, and we drove off.
Maybe things weren't as bad as I thought.
Or maybe I was wrong.
Soft music drifted from behind the now-familiar door. Opening it, Collins gestured lightly for me to come in, but I stepped over the threshold hesitantly and rather slowly. He had warned me that the company would be small, since he didn't like loud parties.
"So, how old are you now?" I asked in a tone as if I had absolutely no idea about the biology teacher's age.
"Twenty-eight," Collins replied honestly, politely helping me take off my jacket like a true gentleman.
We walked inside and soon found ourselves in the living room, where a small group of people — just as Chris had promised — had gathered. They were drinking, laughing, and playing spin the bottle. One girl and three guys, one of whom I already knew.
"Everyone, meet Lily — my…" Collins hesitated for a moment, as if unsure whether to tell them I was his student or not. "…friend. And this is Kerry, Dan, Katherine. You already know Nick."
"Join us!" Dennis exclaimed cheerfully, wrapping his arms around our shoulders from behind, practically shouting into my ear.
Shaking my head slightly, I turned to Chris as if he were my last chance for escape.
"Oh, maybe a bit later," the birthday boy declined tactfully, reading my expression. "We'll go to the kitchen and put the kettle on for the cake."
Taking my hand, Collins led my poor soul away from the crowd and into the familiar kitchen. I let out a quiet sigh of relief once we were alone and sat comfortably on a chair, clasping my hands together.
"Unfortunately, I don't have any coffee," Chris warned, pouring water into a metal kettle. "You'll have to settle for tea."
"I'll survive," I replied as he sat down beside me.
His gaze immediately focused on me, making me feel slightly uncomfortable. I didn't like it when people stared at me for too long — it usually irritated me. But him… his eyes didn't irritate me at all. Instead, they made me want to look back. Which I did.
No words were needed. Not a single one.
Christopher placed his palm gently on my cheek, softly brushing against it and sending a pleasant shiver across my skin, his fingers barely grazing the corner of my lips.
"Kiss me again?" My lips trembled slightly, then broke into a barely perceptible smile.
"You mind?"
"No," I admitted honestly, feeling a flush on my cheeks. For the first time, I admitted to myself that I didn't mind. I didn't mind looking at the biologist like he was a man, I didn't mind kissing him, I didn't mind...
Leaning forward slightly, I touched my lips to the teacher's, taking the initiative. Gently wrapping his arm around my neck, Christopher pulled me even closer, covering my lips with his, enticing them into a hot, wet kiss. I couldn't tear myself away for a moment, even if I wanted to.
All I wanted was to taste his lips, vaguely reminiscent of cinnamon. But alas, the whistling of the kettle quickly shattered our idyll. Kate soon appeared in the kitchen, sent Collins off to the boys, and began making tea.
"When did you two meet?" Katherine asked, glancing at me with interest as she briefly turned around. She was a slender blonde with rather delicate features, but her gaze was too proud and piercing — the kind that could make someone shiver in a second. Impressive, even.
"Recently," I replied with an innocent smile, choosing not to tell her under what circumstances exactly. After all, Chris hadn't told anyone that he was my teacher. So I had to keep certain things to myself as well.
"I see he's already gotten over breaking up with my sister," Kate smirked briefly.
"No," I shook my head so quickly that my vision blurred for a moment. "We're not dating. Is Dora your sister?"
"Yes. She's quite a piece of shit," Katherine said rather casually, and I let out a quiet hum in response. I couldn't understand how someone could speak like that about their own family. And I probably never would. "It was really hard for Chris. I mean, catching your girlfriend in bed with someone else…"
"That's awful," I nodded sympathetically, letting out a warm breath for some reason, nervously fidgeting with the hem of my knitted sweater.
"Well then, let's go back to the guys," Kate said over her shoulder, more like an order than a question. She handed me two cups, took three more herself, and the two of us headed back to the living room.
Honestly, I'd expected worse, but the evening was shaping up to be unforgettable. I liked the new company, and hopefully, they liked me too.